Lebanon
Nickname(s)صبايا الأرز
(The Lady Cedars)
AssociationLebanon Football Association
(الاتحاد اللبناني لكرة القدم)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationWAFF (West Asia)
Head coachJouana Hamze
CaptainNathalie Matar
Most capsRana Al Mokdad (23)
Top scorerLili Iskandar (9)
FIFA codeLBN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 134 Increase 3 (15 December 2023)[1]
Highest102 (December 2013)
Lowest145 (April – August 2021)
First international
 Lebanon 0–12 Algeria 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 19 April 2006)
Biggest win
 Lebanon 12–1 Kuwait 
(Amman, Jordan; 9 June 2013)
Biggest defeat
 Greece 14–0 Lebanon 
(Pegeia, Cyprus; 12 March 2015)
Arab Women's Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2006)
Best resultGroup stage (2006, 2021)
WAFF Women's Championship
Appearances4 (first in 2007)
Best resultRunners-up (2022)
Medal record
Women's football
WAFF Women's Championship
Silver medal – second place2022 Jordan
Bronze medal – third place2007 Jordan
Bronze medal – third place2019 Bahrain

The Lebanon women's national football team[lower-alpha 1] is the official women's national football team of the country of Lebanon. The team was established in 2005, and is controlled by the Lebanon Football Association (LFA), the governing body for football in Lebanon. Whilst the team has yet to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup or the AFC Women's Asian Cup, they have finished runners-up at the 2022 edition of the WAFF Women's Championship, and in third place at the 2007 and 2019 editions.

Lebanon played their first match in 2006 against Algeria in a 12–0 defeat at the Arab Women's Championship. However, their first qualification campaign took place eight years later, on the occasion of the 2014 Women's Asian Cup. While Lebanon ultimately failed to qualify for the final tournament, they won 12–1 against Kuwait on 9 June 2013 in their biggest win to date.

Colloquially called "the Lady Cedars" (Arabic: صبايا الأرز), their home kit is predominately red and their away kit white, in reference to their national flag. From 2014 Lebanon's FIFA ranking has been relatively steady, with their best ranking being 102nd in December 2013 and their worst being 145th between April and August 2021.

History

2005–2018: Formation and first tournaments

Known as "the Lady Cedars" (Arabic: صبايا الأرز),[2][3] the Lebanon women's national team was formed in 2005 as one of the earliest women's national teams in the West Asian Football Federation.[4] Their first match was a 12–0 defeat against Algeria at the 2006 Arab Women's Championship. They finished in last place after three games without having scored a single goal.[5]

Their first WAFF Women's Championship campaign was in 2007; after two 3–0 losses, first against Jordan and then against Iran, Lebanon beat Syria 7–0 thanks to an Iman Chaito hat-trick,[6] and finished in third place in the tournament.[7] In their second WAFF Women's Championship in 2011 they were drawn with Iran, Syria and hosts the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[8][9] After losing their first match against Iran 8–1, Lebanon won 1–0 against Syria. In their final match, against the UAE, Lebanon lost 5–0 and were knocked out of the competition.[9]

Managed by Farid Nujaim, Lebanon took part in the qualification campaign for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup. This was their first official qualification tournament, eight years from their inception.[10] They were drawn with Jordan, Uzbekistan and Kuwait in their group.[11] In their first match, they lost 5–0 against Jordan before being defeated by Uzbekistan 4–0. Already eliminated, Lebanon beat Kuwait 12–1 in a consolatory victory,[12] ending their qualifying campaign with three points.[11]

Lebanon were drawn with Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Guam and Palestine in the 2018 Asian Cup qualification, to be played in the West Bank in Palestine.[13] However, Lebanon withdrew as they refused to play on the grounds that "it legitimises Israel's occupation of the territory".[13]

2019–present: Recent history

Lebanon during the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship third-place award ceremony

Coached by Wael Gharzeddine, Lebanon competed in the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship in January. They began their campaign with a slim 3–2 defeat to hosts Bahrain.[14] In their second match, Lebanon's late goals in each half secured a 2–0 win over the UAE.[15] They then suffered a 3–1 defeat to Jordan,[16] before beating Palestine 3–0, finishing in third place.[2]

In the 2021 Arab Women's Cup, played in August, Lebanon were drawn with Egypt, Tunisia and Sudan.[17] Following a 0–0 to Tunisia,[18] Lebanon's first-ever draw,[19] they lost 4–0 to hosts Egypt.[20] In their final group stage game, Lebanon beat Sudan 5–1, and finished third in their group with four points.[21]

The team began the qualifiers for the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup in October 2021, losing 4–0 to Myanmar;[22] a 1–0 win against the UAE,[23] and a 3–0 win against Guam were not enough to qualify them to their first-ever Asian Cup, as Lebanon finished in second place and were eliminated.[24]

Between August and September 2022, Lebanon took part in the 2022 WAFF Women's Championship in Jordan under coach Hagop Demirjian.[25] After winning 3–0 against Palestine, Lebanon lost to hosts Jordan 2–1 before winning the last game against Syria 5–2. They finished runners-up in the WAFF Championship for the first time, with Lebanon's Lili Iskandar being voted best player of the tournament.[26]

Results and fixtures

As of 30 September 2023, the complete official match record of the Lebanese women's national team comprises 53 matches: 20 wins, 3 draws, and 30 losses.[19] During these matches, the team scored 92 times and conceded 158 goals. Lebanon's highest winning margin is 11 goals, which has been achieved against Kuwait in 2013 (12–1).[12]

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

19 February 2023 (2023-02-19) Friendly Lebanon  1–2  Egypt Jounieh, Lebanon
11:00 UTC+2 Salha 15' Report
Stadium: Fouad Chehab Stadium
Referee: Doumouh Al Bakkar (Lebanon)
22 February 2023 (2023-02-22) Friendly Lebanon  1–2  Egypt Jounieh, Lebanon
15:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Fouad Chehab Stadium
Referee: Doumouh Al Bakkar (Lebanon)
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) 2024 AFC Olympic qualification Lebanon  1–5  Chinese Taipei Jounieh, Lebanon
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Fouad Chehab Stadium
Attendance: 250
Referee: Veronika Bernatskaya (Kyrgyz Republic)
8 April 2023 (2023-04-08) 2024 AFC Olympic qualification Indonesia  0–5  Lebanon Jounieh, Lebanon
14:30 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Fouad Chehab Stadium
Referee: Nguyen Thi Hang Nga (Vietnam)
18 July 2023 (2023-07-18) Friendly Lebanon  5–0  Palestine Ansar, Lebanon
17:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Ansar Stadium
21 July 2023 (2023-07-21) Friendly Lebanon  2–1  Palestine Tripoli, Lebanon
17:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Tripoli Municipal Stadium
18 September 2023 2023 SAFF Tournament GS Lebanon  4–1  Laos Taif, Saudi Arabia
17:30 UTC+3
Stadium: King Fahd Sports City
Referee: Nodira Mirzoeva (Tajikistan)
21 September 2023 2023 SAFF Tournament GS Bhutan  2–3  Lebanon Taif, Saudi Arabia
17:30 UTC+3
Stadium: King Fahd Sports City
Referee: Shahenda El Maghrabi (Egypt)
27 September 2023 2023 SAFF Tournament SF Lebanon  0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)		  Malaysia Taif, Saudi Arabia
17:30 UTC+3 Report Stadium: King Fahd Sports City
Referee: Khuloud AlZaabi (United Arab Emirates)
Penalties
30 September 2023 2023 SAFF Tournament F Lebanon  1–0 (a.e.t.)  Bhutan Taif, Saudi Arabia
--:-- UTC+3
Report Stadium: King Fahd Sports City

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 SAFF Women's International Friendly Tournament (Taif).[27]

Information correct as of 30 September 2023, after the match against Bhutan[28]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Lamitta El Dib (2005-09-02) 2 September 2005 8 0 Lebanon EFP
21 1GK Selena Malaeb (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 1 0 Lebanon Akhaa Ahli Aley
23 1GK Sinal Breiche (2003-03-03) 3 March 2003 10 0 Lebanon BFA
2 2DF Celine Al Haddad (2001-03-12) 12 March 2001 17 0 Lebanon SAS
3 2DF Dima Al Kasti (2001-12-13) 13 December 2001 17 3 Saudi Arabia Al Hilal
4 2DF Amina Karime (2005-12-20) 20 December 2005 12 0 Lebanon BFA
5 2DF Waed Raed (2006-11-09) 9 November 2006 15 1 Lebanon SAS
13 2DF Lara Bou Hamra (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004 4 0 Lebanon BFA
20 2DF Tala Abi Akl (2006-01-13) 13 January 2006 1 0 Lebanon EFP
6 3MF Yara Bou Rada (2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 21 1 Lebanon EFP
8 3MF Rana Al Mokdad (1998-11-18) 18 November 1998 23 1 Lebanon SAS
11 3MF Syntia Salha (2003-01-12) 12 January 2003 20 5 Lebanon BFA
14 3MF Lama Abdin (2006-09-09) 9 September 2006 5 0 Lebanon BFA
15 3MF Cecile Iskandar (2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 3 1 Lebanon SAS
17 3MF Paula Karam (2007-09-20) 20 September 2007 1 0 Lebanon Helium
18 3MF Yasmine Hamdar (2007-07-24) 24 July 2007 2 0 Lebanon ÓBerytus
19 3MF Marie-Therese Tikli (2003-05-29) 29 May 2003 1 0 Lebanon BFA
22 3MF Zahwa Arabi (2005-11-02) 2 November 2005 14 2 Lebanon EFP
7 4FW Samira Awad (2000-06-30) 30 June 2000 21 5 Lebanon EFP
9 4FW Pilar Khoury (1994-08-25) 25 August 1994 8 3 France Strasbourg
10 4FW Lili Iskandar (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 20 9 Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad
12 4FW Serena Mansour (2006-07-04) 4 July 2006 2 0 Lebanon EFP
24 4FW Lea Hachem (2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 1 0 Lebanon SAS

Recent call-ups

The following footballers were part of a national selection in the past 12 months, but are not part of the current squad.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Racha Yaghi (2002-06-10) 10 June 2002 17 0 Lebanon SAS v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
DF Julie Atallah (2005-07-28) 28 July 2005 8 0 Lebanon EFP v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
DF Maria Mansour (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 3 0 Lebanon EFP v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
DF Karly Harfouche (2004-08-03) 3 August 2004 2 0 Lebanon SAS v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
DF Tia Rita Daher (2006-02-16) 16 February 2006 0 0 Lebanon SAS v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
DF Aya Al Jurdi (1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 10 1 Free agent v.  Indonesia, 8 April 2023
DF Joya-Maria Azzi (2000-09-23) 23 September 2000 12 1 United States San Francisco Nighthawks v.  Indonesia, 8 April 2023
DF Nour Noujaim (2004-02-06) 6 February 2004 9 0 United States Vermont Fusion v.  Indonesia, 8 April 2023
MF Sophie Fayad (2004-12-08) 8 December 2004 8 2 Lebanon EFP v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
MF Nathalie Matar (captain) (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 22 0 France Stade Portelois v.  Palestine, 18 July 2023
MF Stephanie El Kazzi (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 8 0 Lebanon EFP v.  Palestine, 18 July 2023
MF Zahraa Assaf (2004-01-05) 5 January 2004 3 0 Lebanon SAS v.  Egypt, 22 February 2023
FW Hanin Tamim (2000-04-05) 5 April 2000 18 7 Lebanon SAS v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
FW Christy Maalouf (2005-12-20) 20 December 2005 17 8 Lebanon EFP v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
FW Hiba Allouch (2004-06-28) 28 June 2004 10 1 Lebanon SAS v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
FW Angelina Saade (2006-06-23) 23 June 2006 1 0 Lebanon BFA v.  Palestine, 21 July 2023
FW Farah El Tayar (2003-12-10) 10 December 2003 4 1 United States FIU Panthers v.  Indonesia, 8 April 2023

Individual records

As of 30 September 2023[29]
Players in bold are still active with Lebanon.

Most-capped players

Rana Al Mokdad is Lebanon's most-capped player with 23 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Rana Al Mokdad 2312017–present
2 Sara Bakri 2272006–2017
Taghrid Hamadeh 2222006–2015
Nathalie Matar 2202015–present
5 Samira Awad 2152018–present
Yara Bou Rada 2112018–present
7 Lili Iskandar 2092018–present
Syntia Salha 2052021–present
9 Hanin Tamim 1872018–present

Top scorers

With nine goals, Lili Iskandar is Lebanon's all-time top goalscorer.
Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 Lili Iskandar 9200.452023–present
2 Christy Maalouf 8170.472021–present
3 Hanin Tamim 7180.392018–present
Sara Bakri 7220.322006–2017
5 Nadia Assaf 570.712007–2013
Syntia Salha 5200.252021–present
Samira Awad 5210.242018–present
8 Iman Chaito 3312007
Pilar Khoury 380.382021–present
Hiba El Jaafil 3140.212006–2013
Lara Bahlawan 3170.182011–2021
Dima Al Kasti 3170.182019–present

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Host nation(s)
and year		 Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
China 1991 Did not enter Did not enter
Sweden 1995
United States 1999
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011
Canada 2015 Did not qualify The 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup served as the qualifying tournament
France 2019 Withdrew Withdrew
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Did not qualify The 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup served as the qualifying tournament
2027 To be determined The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup will serve as the qualifying tournament
Total–0/9–––––––Total––––––

Summer Olympics

Summer Olympics record Qualification record
Host nation(s)
and year		 Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
United States 1996 Did not enter The 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup served as the qualifying tournament
Australia 2000 The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup served as the qualifying tournament
Greece 2004 Did not enter
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016
Japan 2020 Did not qualify 3rd of 32002012
France 2024 2nd of 3210165
United States 2028 To be determined To be determined
Total–0/8–––––––Total4103617

AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup record Qualification record
Host nation(s)
and year		 Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Outcome Pld W D L GF GA
Hong Kong 1975 Did not enter Did not enter
Taiwan 1977
India 1980
Hong Kong 1981
Thailand 1983
Hong Kong 1986
Hong Kong 1989
Japan 1991
Malaysia 1993
Malaysia 1995
China 1997
Philippines 1999
Chinese Taipei 2001
Thailand 2003
Australia 2006
Vietnam 2008
China 2010
Vietnam 2014 Did not qualify 3rd of 431021210
Jordan 2018 Withdrew Withdrew
India 2022 Did not qualify 2nd of 4320144
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total–0/20–––––––Total63031614

Arab Women's Cup

Arab Women's Cup record
Host nation(s)
and year		 Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Egypt 2006 Group stage7th of 72002020Squad
Egypt 2021 Group stage5th of 7311155Squad
TotalBest: group stage2/25113525–

WAFF Women's Championship

WAFF Women's Championship record
Host nation(s)
and year		 Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Jordan 2005 Did not enter
Jordan 2007 Third place3rd of 4310276–
United Arab Emirates 2010 Did not enter
United Arab Emirates 2011 Group stage5th of 83102213–
Jordan 2014 Did not enter
Bahrain 2019 Third place3rd of 5420286Squad
Jordan 2022 Runners-up2nd of 4320194Squad
Saudi Arabia 2024 To be determined
TotalBest: runners-up4/7136072629–

Other tournaments

Tournament Round
Egypt 2010 Arabia Women's Cup Group stage
Armenia 2021 Armenia Friendly Tournament Fourth place
Saudi Arabia 2023 SAFF Friendly Tournament Champions

FIFA world rankings

Lebanon were first included in the FIFA World Ranking in September 2011, placing in 124th place.[30] Until early 2021, FIFA's ranking criteria required teams to have been active in the previous 18 months to be listed.[lower-alpha 2][31] As Lebanon went inactive for 18 months for several periods,[19] they were unranked in various years (2014, 2016, 2017, 2020).[32] Lebanon's best ranking was 102nd in December 2013, and their worst was 145th between April and August 2021.[32]

The table shows the position that Lebanon held in December of each year (and the current position as of 2023), as well as the highest and lowest positions annually.

  Best ranking    Worst ranking  

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Arabic: المنتخب اللبناني لكرة القدم النسائي
    French: Équipe du Liban féminine de football
  2. ↑ This inactivity limit was extended to 4 years in early 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Perfect Jordan retain West Asian title". Asian Football Confederation. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Saqr, Hassan (24 October 2018). صبايا الأرز تهز شباك هونغ كونغ بسداسية نظيفة [The Lady Cedars score six past the Hong Kong goal]. Football Lebanon (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  4. ↑ Wehbé, Johana (27 June 2019). "Au Liban aussi les femmes ont leur place sur un terrain de foot". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  5. ↑ "Arab Women's Football Cup – Egypt 2006". goalzz.com. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Lebanon vs Syria". FA Lebanon. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "West Asia Womens Championship 2007". goalzz.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  8. ↑ "4th WAFF women championship starts Monday the 3rd of October 2011". West Asian Football Federation. 6 May 2012. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  9. 1 2 Schöggl, Hans. "West Asian Championship (Women) 2011 (United Arab Emirates)". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  10. ↑ "Lebanon's women breaking new ground". FIFA. 2 June 2013. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Women's Asian Cup Qualification – 2014 Vietnam". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Lebanon beats Kuwait 12–1 in women's Asia soccer qualifiers". Kuwait News Agency. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  13. 1 2 Abou Diab, Rami (17 February 2017). "Lebanon withdrew from the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "Winning starts for Jordan, Bahrain in WAFF Women's Championship". Asian Football Confederation. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  15. ↑ "Rampant Bahrain continue winning ways". Asian Football Confederation. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Jordan stay perfect, Palestine, UAE remain winless". Asian Football Confederation. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  17. ↑ Reda, Hatem; Murad, Omar (24 August 2021). منتخب مصر النسائي يهزم السودان 10 / 0 بافتتاح كأس العرب بالقاهرة [Egypt's women's team defeats Sudan 10/0 in the opening of the Arab Cup in Cairo]. youm7.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  18. ↑ كأس العرب للسيدات: تعادل لبنان وتونس سلبا [Arab Women's Cup: goalless draw between Lebanon and Tunisia]. ajwaapress.com (in Arabic). 25 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  19. 1 2 3 "Lebanon National Team Results – Women Official (Total)". FA Lebanon. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  20. ↑ Mahmoud, Hassan (27 August 2021). كأس العرب للسيدات.. مصر تقسو على لبنان [Arab Women's Cup.. Egypt goes hard on Lebanon]. darelhilal.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  21. ↑ منتخب لبنان يفوز على منتخب السودان في كأس العرب للسيدات [Lebanon national football team defeated Sudan in the Arab Women's Cup]. UAFA. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  22. ↑ "Myanmar defeat Lebanon to take huge step towards India 2022". Asian Football Confederation. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  23. ↑ "Lebanon defeat UAE to revive qualification hopes". Asian Football Confederation. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  24. ↑ "Lebanon finish in style". Asian Football Confederation. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  25. ↑ وصول سيدات الأرز الى الأردن للمشاركة في بطولة غرب آسيا [The arrival of the Lady Cedars to Jordan to participate in the WAFF Championship]. Lebanese Football Association (in Arabic). 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  26. ↑ الأردن يتوج ببطولة السيدات السابعة.. ويضيف اللقب الخامس إلى سجله [Jordan win the seventh women's championship.. and add a fifth title to their record]. West Asian Football Federation (in Arabic). 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  27. ↑ بعثة منتخب السيدات تغادر الى الطائف [The women's national team delegation leaves for Taif]. Lebanese Football Association (in Arabic). 15 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "Lebanon Current Squad". FA Lebanon. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Lebanon National Team All-Time Stats Women". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  30. ↑ "Women's Ranking – 23 September 2011". FIFA. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  31. ↑ "Fact Sheet, FIFA Women's World Ranking" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  32. 1 2 "Lebanon". FIFA. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
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